Chapter 23

After half an hour of bonding, the Tollman ladies left Sheldon alone with his family. The door hadn't even clicked shut before Sheldon was scrubbing his hands, then scooping up some antibacterial wipes to head to his room.

Mary stepped in behind him and noticed a rumpled sheet draped over his bed. "I was wondering how you were holding up to all this touching and germs."

"I don't mind contact with Merritt, she is my child, and affection is natural and encouraged. Did you know touching, such hugs, or high fives, or pats on the back can lift spirits, lower the possibility of depression and serve as non-verbal communication?"

"You don't say?" Mary smirked at Sheldon for the clinical statement that expressed something that was nearly intuitive to a majority of parents. Clearly, he'd been doing some research.

After a moment Sheldon stated, "Sarcasm…because obviously, I did say." Sheldon carefully folded the sheet in on itself to prevent any contaminants from spreading. "Through repetitive contact, and having systems that are genetically similar, Merritt and I have inoculated ourselves to each other's germs. However, she frequently comes in contact with contaminated children. Lesser parents are far more lax with the cleanliness of their offspring, than Olivia and myself; therefore, it's best to take precautions."

Mary raised an eyebrow at Sheldon's detection of sarcasm and at the mention of Cera and himself as a parental team. An hour ago Mary was certain Sheldon would be heading for a breakdown, but it seemed as though he had this well in hand. Having a living, external focus was probably a good thing for him.

While Mary had hoped gaining friends would help him with his self-involvement, Sheldon always found a way to become dismissive of even those people. Having a child, he couldn't do that to, was going to force him to be mindful of his behavior. Of course, Cera may have also had a say in that. She always tried to nudge him into more empathetic behavior and had been intolerant of him being mean. Mary assumed Cera would react even stronger about Sheldon's negativity when it concerned Merritt.

Sheldon was glad when he was finally alone again. He was even more pleased to hear from someone who wasn't disappointed in him, when Amy called. They shared a laugh over an anecdote from Amy's lab. He decide he should cut the conversation short after confessing that the presence of his mother and Meemaw had been thus far stressful. When Amy suggested she would like to see his family and her presence might offset the unease, Sheldon nearly panicked.

"No, no. Your involvement in family circumstances would not be beneficial." In trying to discourage Amy's presence his voice rose in anxiety.

"I'm sure your mother wouldn't mind. You do realize she was using reverse psychology when saying she 'didn't think we were suited'." Amy pointed out.

"Never the less, this visit will not require your contribution. Amy, as I have to spend tomorrow entertaining a dissatisfied mother, I should retire to bed, now. Good night." Sheldon still hadn't adjusted to his mother's introduction to Merritt, so he wasn't yet ready to inform others. In the mean time he just wanted to sink into the comfort of science.

Cera breathed a sigh of relief as she sagged across her couch. Having a half day off from work shouldn't be this draining. She'd been tense since she picked Merritt up from school. At least when she arrived at Sheldon's she realized she was in good company since he was just as anxious. Thankfully Merritt didn't seem to be affected by the tense atmosphere and bopped along, happy to see 'daddy's place' for the first time. Meeting two new family members to dote on her, just added to her joyfulness.

As soon as Sheldon had finished his breakfast Friday morning, there was a knock on his door. Mary and Meemaw had driven over in the rental car as soon as they had finished the breakfast buffet. The questions they hadn't asked before leaving the previous evening, were finally coming out.

Some questions he could answer and did (How long had he known about Merritt? Why weren't we told earlier? Are you ok with having a daughter? Is Cera married? Does she have a boyfriend?) Some he could answer and didn't want to, though he did any way. (How many times did you have sex? Why didn't you use protection? You aren't having sex with Amy, too are you?) Some questions he just didn't know. (Will Cera allow you custody? What kinda male influence has Merritt had so far? Does Cera want a boyfriend or a husband?)

"Well, it behooves you to find out doesn't it?" Mary replied with a hard tone, leaving Sheldon flustered. He could tell this was going to be a long day and couldn't wait until Cera and Merritt were available.

Merritt was dropped by Cera's office that afternoon, so they could drive straight to Sheldon's to pick him up. Meemaw had requested they dine in the hotel restaurant that evening and wanted Cera and Merritt to join. Sheldon felt apprehensive about eating in a restaurant that he had not been to before, but he would do it for Meemaw. He, of course, called ahead and requested sanitation scores and fork information. The facts they provided were adequate.

Merritt was animated on the ride to the hotel. Sheldon had thought maybe eating in a hotel had delighted her, since it was a rare treat when he was a child to eat in a restaurant, let alone in a hotel. When he asked the reason, he was surprised and pleased that she was excited to meet Nan and Meemaw again. She had completely dismissed the restaurant as something common place, highlighting the difference between his childhood and hers.

Merritt and Meemaw fell into an easy conversation. The little girl was a delightful reminder of her Moonpie, when he was young. A bit softer and more feminine, but her mind jumped all over the place at a quick pace, much like Sheldon's did.

Sheldon, Cera, and Mary sat quietly and watched. There were many questions Mary wanted answered, but she didn't think in front of a child was the place to discuss such things. Instead she decided to discuss the more mundane and observe the young woman to determine what was left of the Liv she once knew.

A few hours of polite awkwardness had left Cera drained once again. She had left Sheldon at the hotel with his family. His negotiations with the wait staff had been minor, he had been a gentleman and a surprisingly attentive father. While she imagined most of his behavior had been due to the presence of Meemaw, it left her head swimming. He hadn't been cold or unnecessarily condescending once since he met Merritt. She could tell Mary and Meemaw were surprised and apprehensive with the situation as well, but the only thing she could do for them was answer questions and wait out the adjustment period.

When the phone rang Cera groaned, she felt too worn for anything else. On the other end of the line was a rapidly speaking Penny.

"…repeating something that wasn't right the first time, but it wasn't wrong either. But if you're doing it a completely different way, it something new and not the same. Right?"

"What…precisely…are we talking about?"

"About a past relationship." Penny stated, as if it had been obvious.

"Is this…is this about Leonard again?"

"Uh, no. This is about Zack." Penny thought maybe Merritt's dad was having an effect on Cera, and she definitely wanted to hear about that, but Cera seemed kind of out of it.

"Why didn't you say so?" In the chaos, Cera had forgotten about Penny and Zack.

"I don't wanna jinx it. Amy and Bernadette are pushing me to Leonard, since Priya left but..."

"It's no one's decision, but your own. While I wouldn't normally be one to…revisit the past, sometimes it is necessary. You would have to be careful with it, though. It would be too easy to slip back into old habits and repeating history instead of recreating it. Maybe…plan for it." Cera considered how both the question and answer mirrored her current relationship with Sheldon.

While it wasn't anything romantic, it appeared Sheldon was going to have a definite spot in her future. Cera didn't worry about things being planned with him, she just had to be sure they were plans that didn't leave one or both of them emotionally vulnerable. Going by statements his mom made, he didn't come out their arrangement unscathed either.

"I dunno, I'm not good with plans. How would I plan that anyway?" Penny felt reluctant to make that sort of effort, but she did want things to be different. Not just with Zack, but with…everything.

"Decide ahead of time as a couple, 'We will do this, talk about that, we won't do this.' And avoid things that can…distract you from those goals until you feel settled." Cera herself knew she needed to have these conversation with Sheldon, but that was for later, after Mary and Meemaw left.

"You make that sound like work…What could be distracting in a relationship?"

"Sex and alcohol. While those things can enhance an existing relationship, they can't be a foundation for one that has not yet materialized. "

That summed up every relationship, in which she'd ever been. So far, Zack and she hadn't fallen into that trap, but it was tempting. Right now they were just talking. She had learned so many things about friends recently that she had missed just from not talking and listening enough. She wasn't going to miss anymore, especially about guys she was seeing. Unable to respond to the heavy thoughts, Penny tried to find something else to talk about. "Oh, anyway, Amy seems kinda happy."

"This isn't personal is it?"

"Uh, maybe, kinda...but for a reason. I have a question." Penny knew Cera didn't want to hurt people's feelings, but couldn't understand how that made her disinterested in others.

"Oh, ok."

"So Sheldon has been talking to Amy a lot more. She says she's never felt this close to anyone, but at the same time, she seeing him less. Like now, his family is in, but she hasn't seen him since. I mean his mom went to the trouble of getting them back together last time, so I think she thought she would be getting in good with the in-laws."

"This sounds a bit personal. I'm not exactly…" Once again, Cera felt like she was disrupting Sheldon's life. She told him it was acceptable to see Amy. Mary liking Amy could only be a plus for him. She'd gotten the feeling, in the past, that Mary found her a bit irritating.

"Hang on. I was wondering if you knew what was going on. I mean there something kinda between you and Sheldon. And Leonard said you ran him out the apartment a few weeks ago. Are you...seeing him?"

"I did ask Leonard to give me some time with Sheldon, but no, there is nothing remotely romantic between Sheldon and myself. As for what is between Amy and Sheldon that is for them to work out. Amy should talk to Sheldon."

"But you know what's going on with him?"

"I know some things. But how he feels and what he does with his knowledge, is not something he has shared with me. That is for them to work out. I don't get any input on it."

Knowing she wasn't getting any more information from Cera, Penny relented and planned on having a girl's night in the future. She felt more certain than before that there was more to Cera and Sheldon than either one was saying.

Deciding it would be best to prevent Meemaw from having to walk up four flights of stairs. Sheldon had Cera drive him and Merritt to the hotel. Merritt clung to his hand the entire ride up the elevator. By the time they reached the fourteenth floor Sheldon's hand had grown clammy and he definitely wanted to wash, but he wouldn't let go until she was ready. He was just thankful that both he and Merritt had sanitizer in their pockets, and of course Cera had heavy duty medical grade wipes.

"Well, hello there cupcake." Meemaw opened her arms.

"Hey, Meemaw." Merritt flung herself at her great grandmother.

"Aww, don't you know how to make an old lady feel good? So what do you have planned for us today?" Meemaw rubbed over Merritt's hair.

"Well, I don't know. Do you like Lego games?"

"Maybe...What is it?" Meemaw asked with a smile.

"It's different video games. Like Harry Potter and Star Wars and, uh, Indiana Jones."

"Your daddy used to try to get me to play video games with him, too. I'm afraid it's just not something this old lady is much good at. And I'm sure I hadn't gotten any better."

"But Meemaw, You're not that old."

"Aww, Cupcake, ain't you sweet. Do you want me to cook you some dinner?" Meemaw loved cooking for her family and couldn't wait to share a meal with her new great-grand daughter.

"Sure. Can you make hamburgers?"

"Well, I was thinkin' fried chicken. It's what your daddy usually wants."

Merritt's face fell. "Oh, I thought we were going to have burgers."

Sheldon was still worried about Meemaw climbing all those stairs again, and taking Cera and Merritt into his apartment with Leonard. A good dinner of fried chicken shouldn't be disrupted by the over inquisitiveness of his nosy roommate. "Meemaw, why don't you let me take you out tonight and tomorrow we can purchase the necessary ingredients for fried chicken and its sides. You can cook in Olivia's apartment. She has far less stairs and more counter space."

Cera whipped around to stare at Sheldon. She didn't mind, but he could have asked first.

"Shelly, you can't go just assuming Liv wants to give up her kitchen without asking." Mary interjected.

Feeling Sheldon had been suitably chastised by his mother Cera acquiesced. "I don't mind. Having Meemaw in my kitchen would honor it in a way I never could."

"Nana and Meemaw are coming to my house, tomorrow?" Merritt looked to her parents with hopeful eyes.

Cera, and Sheldon, chorused out a "Yes." and Merritt let out a joyful squeal, embracing her Nana.

Sheldon decided if Merritt wanted a burger, she would get his favorite. So they loaded up in Cera's Jeep, Merritt sandwiched between Meemaw and Nana, and Sheldon up front with Cera.

"Oh, I love it here. Miss Penny works here!" Merritt tugged on Nana and Meemaw's hands pulling them into the Cheesecake Factory.

Cera and Sheldon made eye contact behind them, neither of them having considered the Penny variable of dinner. Cera smiled softly and nodded to Sheldon. "Penny is a good friend. She'll be ok." Sheldon relaxed with that reminder. Penny would merely be confirming something she had dragged out of him already. She was a friend to both him and Cera and she apparently had a good rapport with Merritt.

It wasn't that he was embarrassed or ashamed, by Merritt, quite the contrary he didn't think he'd ever been prouder of another person before in his life. What he didn't relish was the invasive, personal questions and assumptions that he was certain would come. Surely Cera had dealt with such things from friends and family, possibly even strangers considering her family. Sheldon wondered if that was another reason Cera was so opposed to gossip.

Having the heightened hearing that Sheldon had inherited, Meemaw heard the comforting exchange between Sheldon and Cera. She was pleased the young lady still had a soothing way with her Moonpie. Though, she would have preferred better circumstances, she was glad for Sheldon's little family. Sometimes the boy's head was so full of numbers and theories, he forget himself here on earth. She could already see Merritt had a very grounding effect on him. Something she has seen glimpses of years before from her mother, Cera.

Walking up to her next table Penny was certain she was in one of the guys' parallel universe. She had thought it was possible since Howard got a fiancé, learning that Sheldon had had sex, and that Zack played instruments and danced. But seeing a child she knew, sitting with the Cooper clan looking like she belonged with them felt like confirmation. Penny may not know her way around a Punnett square, but she could tell that Merritt, who sat happily between Sheldon and Meemaw, was a genetic match.

An excited Merritt greeted Penny first. "Hey Miss Penny! I'm glad you're here. This is my daddy, his name is Sheldon. He knows everything. And this is Nana and that's Meemaw."

Cera rubbed her temples. How typical of her nine year old to tell everyone she meets, everything she knows, right up front.

Luckily, Penny was quick on her feet and recovered from that rush of information. "Uh, hi, Merritt. I know Sheldon, too. He lives across the hall from me." Penny looked from Sheldon to Cera. "This is surprising."

Merritt gave an explanation, assuming Penny's surprise was the night of the week, which Sheldon had educated Merritt on before their arrival. "Yeah, he prefers to come in on Tuesdays, but he's making an exception for me, just this once."

Penny put on a bright smile, just as surprised at Sheldon making exceptions for Merritt, as she was that he apparently fathered her.

"Nice to finally meet you…Meemaw, I'm Penny, Sheldon's neighbor. Mary, good to see you again." Penny was pulled into hugs when she offered her hand for shaking.

"Daddy said you have the best burgers here, and that's what I want." Merritt announced, oblivious to the introductions going on.

"We sure do, get your mom to pick out what exactly you want, and let me know." Penny flipped to the child's section of the large menu.

Sheldon then fired off his order not waiting on anyone else to decide on their meals.

"Oh, that's what I want, too." Merritt chimed in.

Cera turned, "Merritt, be polite, wait for everybody else. And Sh…daddy's getting an adult meal. You couldn't possibly eat all that."

"But, I want it."

"Merritt-" Cera knew Merritt was pushing, just because they were with company. Ordinarily, she knew better than to argue back.

"She can just eat what she can, and take the rest home." Sheldon offered an easy solution.

"No, honey, she can't," Cera faced Sheldon, "that's too much food, and a waste. She doesn't eat leftovers. You barely do."

"Perhaps...perhaps we could get them to make a child's portion." Sheldon suggested a compromise.

Penny nearly dropped her pad. It was bizarre watching this interaction. And it seemed...normal. Thinking about it, there exchanges had always looked...commonplace, like they were accustomed to negotiating through things. Sheldon wasn't demanding, or proving how right he was. She didn't have to argue or knuckle under. He just gave them a soft perhaps. Penny supposed this shouldn't be surprising after the way he handled Cera after her panic attack. But it did leave her with a whole lot of other questions.

When Penny returned with their food Mary asked, "So, Penny, you know Liv as well?"

"Liv?" Penny's face showed her confusion.

"My middle name." Cera clarified.

Penny recalled a concern about a 'Liv' that had come up recently. It was something Amy had said after Cera's non meeting with Sheldon. What was 'liv'? The better question apparently would have been 'who.' Penny wondered how this was going to affect Amy. She couldn't tell if Amy was really into Sheldon, or just into having any form of company.

"Oh, uh, I got to know her when she started teaching me music and stuff."

"She teaches music?" Mary turned her head to Cera, "Are you not a doctor anymore?"

"I am, and I have hobbies, too."

"You call that a hobby? Don't they know your family?" Penny laughed at Cera's attempt to trivialize her background.

"Noooo." Mary drew out, as though it was an odd question, or perhaps an odd answer. "She's never even mentioned 'em."

"Oh, uh, Ok." Penny stepped away quickly, afraid she'd said too much.

"So, Liv, tell me about your parents."

"Honey and Bumpa are awesome. The live in big house. With a pool and a theater and all the video games." Merritt wasn't bragging, just stating facts as she saw them.

"Baby, it's rude to jump in with others a talking. And you don't talk about people in terms of things they have or have not." Cera corrected Merritt.

"Sorry, momma; sorry, Nan." Merritt said sheepishly.

"Alright...So ya'll have a big house, huh?" Mary asked tightly as Sheldon shook his in head in confirmation.

"I don't. Patrick and Cynthia do. I live in a townhouse in Alhambra."

"Patrick and Cynthia? Tollman? You mean like Toll Bridge?" Mary half expected Cera to ask Toll Bridge who. They weren't exactly a current band, a majority of their stuff having long been sent to the oldies channel. The names could just be coincidental.

"Yes, that's them. Of course Julian, Roger, and Becky were in the band as well." She had grown up with them and they were like an aunt and uncles to her.

"Mary didn't you used to like those folks? You said one of those boys was foxy." Meemaw chimed in.

Mary had a silly grin on her face. "Hmm, it was Patrick. He had the prettiest blue eyes. Oh, Liv's got 'em, too." Mary nearly squealed. Cera wished she could say this was the first middle aged woman she'd seen go fangirl over her dad.

"Momma, I thought you said daddy had the prettiest blue eyes, and he gave them to me." Sheldon had never seen his mother act in such an undignified manner.

"Your daddy had the prettiest eyes of anyone I actually knew. Pat was just dreamy...of course Cynthia was lovely, too. That's where all that blond hair came from. Why didn't you ever mention this?" Mary was nearly beside herself.

"Momma, it is disconcerting to hear you describe Merritt's maternal grandfather as 'dreamy.'" Sheldon pushed his fries around in distaste.

"I wasn't exactly a…involved family member at the time…and we like our privacy." Cera finally answered. She was in complete agreement with Sheldon though, the grandmother factor did make Mary's assertion about her dad, weird. "This salad is good, but I'm looking forward to Meemaw's fried chicken tomorrow."

The rest of the dinner passed in lighter conversation. Mary and Meemaw were surprised that Cera didn't once mention preservatives, processed and refined foods, or the benefits of eating organic.

Once Penny dropped off the check Sheldon and Cera disagreed over who would pay.

"You paid last night, Sheldon, and I told you then, you didn't need to pay for me." Cera protested.

"Let her pay Sheldon, I'm sure she's ok." Mary now understood Cera's discomfort when receiving gifts and having things paid for. It wasn't because she felt an obligation like Sheldon, it was because she felt she was taking from those who had less.

"But you're my family." Sheldon complained to his mother. Caring for his family, was his duty, not hers, no matter what family she came from.

"How about you pay, and I'll leave Penny a tip." Cera compromised. She didn't want to offend Sheldon, least of all in front of his family. He had always insisted he pay and she always felt uneasy with it, but wasn't comfortable telling him why. She didn't live off of her parents per se, but they had paid for med school and given her a small gift when she finished.

By the time she was in Houston she had budgeted out the remainder of her endowment (after relocating and a new car) and her meager first year residency paycheck. Now that Sheldon was aware of her financials, she felt that he should be ok with her contributing, but apparently he wasn't.

"Very well." He acquiesced. When he saw her leave a hundred dollar tip on an eighty-three dollar bill he muttered, "Show off," though he was pleased Cera was such a good friend to Penny. Sheldon had been concerned that his neighbor had not been in for food or the wifi password in over a week.

As the group headed out the door, someone caught Sheldon by the sleeve. When he turned to glare at his assailant, he saw Penny with an odd look on her face.

"You…you have to tell Amy." Penny nervously ran her hands over her apron.

"Yes, Liv has told me as such. She suggest I inform her alone."

"That's not a bad idea. Amy likes you, a lot, and I'm not sure how she'll take it. I just don't want her to get hurt."

"It is not my intent to cause her anguish, but I cannot change the circumstances." Sheldon looked over to his family, chatting by the door. "Nor, do I think I would."

"I don't mean that, it's just, that you…" Penny considered the sorrow Cera had when talking about Merritt's father, "suck at passing on information. Amy'll see you different; this will change what kinda relationship you have."

"Amy is a smart woman and I'm certain she can rationally handle truth. It's my understanding that even though I am now a parent, I am still able to maintain a friendship."

"Just as a parent? Where does that leave Cera? She's my friend, too, ya know. Don't think I forgot the truth you told her."

"Penny." Sheldon's tight reply let Penny knew the conversation was over. She hoped he at least considered what she said and was mindful of their feelings.

"I'm surprised your mother and Meemaw are not present. I thought we would have more time to bond." Amy adjusted herself on Sheldon's couch.

"They are currently visiting another family member." Having discussed Merritt's disclosure to Amy with Penny, Cera, and his mother the previous evening, Sheldon decided it was best to go ahead tear off the proverbial Band-Aid. His family was at Cera's, waiting for him to inform Amy.

"I didn't realize you had another family member, in such close proximity."

Leonard was fiddling in kitchen, mostly ignoring Sheldon and Amy, however that piece of information was odd enough to pull more of his attention.

"This, uh, family member is a...new development." Sheldon ran his damp hands over his knees.

"You mean like an infant?" Amy cocked her head. For a man who was usually so precise in his communications, she was finding him terribly confusing.

"Not exactly."

"Sheldon you aren't making sense. How can a new family member not exactly be an infant?"

Amy leaned over to catch Sheldon's eye, wondering why he wasn't answering. He kept his eyes trained on the empty TV screen he spoke.

"It has come to my attention, that I have fathered a child."

At this statement Leonard's head snapped around. "What?"

"How…how could you?" Amy asked caught between hurt and curiosity.

"Sheldon, is this a Bazinga?" Leonard rounded the island.

"No!" Sheldon shook his head. He couldn't even say he wished it was, now. Merritt just meant too much too him for that.

"Did you find another candidate for offspring and undergo the fertility procedure with her?" Amy was concerned he had taken her good idea and replaced her. That always seemed to happen to her.

"No, No!" Sheldon was shocked by Amy's assertion.

"Did you…did you go back to the sperm bank?" Leonard came to stand in front Sheldon.

"No!" Of course Leonard's suggestion was just ludicrous.

"I unknowingly...impregnated a...friend."

"How do you unknowingly, impregnate someone Sheldon?" Amy look truly confused.

"You are aware the only way to could have done that unawares is to...did you have sex?" Leonard was having trouble grasping Sheldon being a father.

"When? Who?" Amy, having finally caught onto the logistics of conception, needed more information.

"Really, this is not that momentous. Yes, I did. It was years ago. Her name was Olivia. Does that answer all of your questions?"

"No." Leonard and Amy shouted in unison.

"Well, too bad. Meemaw is making Merritt her famous fried chicken and I want to be sure I get some."

"Wait? Did you say Merritt? That's...that's Cera Tollman's daughter." Amy's mind, finally catching up with the moment, needed more data. It's not every day your boy/friend becomes a father.

"That's correct."

"You had coitus with the hippy chick?!" Leonard laughed. "That's why she paid me to leave."

"But you said the woman's name was Olivia!" Amy complained at the same time.

"Her preferred appellation is her middle name, Olivia. At the time she was the furthest person from a hippie I could have imagined. Though she still wouldn't wear shoes."

"Is it because she's blonde?" Amy was trying to rationalize what this woman had that she did not. Besides progeny from one of the world's leading physicist.

"Hair color would be a poor reason for coitus, Amy. Besides, at the time she was a brunette."

"But, she said she loved Merritt's father. That's...you...How do you feel about her?" Amy had thought Sheldon was like her, but realized once again she was different. Sheldon wasn't a single man because he was awkward and geeky, though it did contribute. His isolation was voluntary; except when it wasn't.

"How I feel is irrelevant to the state of things. The fact is, we created Merritt, and I have a responsibility to care for my daughter. Now, if you don't mind, I need to call Liv for a ride." Sheldon knew Cera wasn't due to pick him up for a half an hour, but he wanted out of this high pressure situation.

When Cera arrived to pick him up, he wasn't sure if he was grateful for her silence on the matter or not.